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Thursday, August 14, 2014

The List by Siobhan Vivian review by Brandi Breathes Books

The List by Siobhan Vivian

An intense look at the rules of high school attraction -- and the price that's paid for them.
It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest. Nobody knows who makes the list. It almost doesn't matter. The damage is done the minute it goes up.
This is the story of eight girls, freshman to senior, "pretty" and "ugly." And it's also the story of how we see ourselves, and how other people see us, and the tangled connection of the two.

I have wanted to read this one for some time because I was interested the the premise of this list that targeted the most beautiful and ugliest girl in each class. I wanted to see how the dynamics played out, how much bullying would come into play and wanted to know who is behind the list and why.

There is a shifting point of view and it is with all eight of the girls, so it took me a bit to remember the individual story line, what they were voted, and what role they play in relation to the others. They all had different story lines and motives, and it was a great look into how women view themselves and how easily they could be persuaded by others/popular opinion.

I wish that it would have had less characters and been able to go deeper, and for me to actually remember who was voted prettiest and ugliest, and what they were feeling about it.

But there was something compulsive about it. I didn't want to stop reading even through my character confusion. I wanted to know who was behind it. I wanted to know how this would bring together or separate the girls, and how they respond to being on their place on the list.

I felt like once the story got going and I was starting to get into the characters' stories and tell them from each other, it was over. And to me, at least, it didn't feel like a very complete ending.

Bottom Line: Great concept, okay characters though it felt like too many.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Did your high school have a strict heirarchy?

Yeah, eight characters with their own storyline and stuff is freaking confusing. I get confused when there's more than three, unless they have unique voices or something you know you can tell them apart with, sounds like it didn't have that here though. Still, if you still wanted to continue and finish it even with that, doesn't sound too bad. :) Mine didn't actually- this is probably why when I read YA I find some situations and dramas in high school unrealistic because mine was nothing like it, at all. Okay, you had the more "popular" group, but nobody was mean to one another, everyone talked, no one got shunned.

I think it might be hard to keep up with who is who but bullying stories always suck me in and get me all emotionally involved. I don't know though, I didn't realize there were so many characters so I'll just hold off on this one for now.

Hm, I wish it had less characters because otherwise I know I won't like it much. 8 POV's is a bit too much! In my high school, we don't really. We have two groups - the popular who seem a bit fake and do weird and crazy stuff, but then gossip about each other. Another group which is mostly guys playing football and the like xD And then mine, a group of guys and girls who just have fun I guess ^^I think it's about time I followed this blog by email because I read all the posts that catch my eye already xD It would be easier for me to get them in my inbox instead of shifting through my bloglovin xD

I would love to hear from you! (I always try to visit your blog back) I love links, so feel free to link to your blog or a post you like. Sorry, but I am award and tag free zone, I do not have the time to return. Comments are reward enough :)

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Welcome!

I am Brandi Kosiner and this is my personal book blog. I am a 30-something stay-at-home mom to two girls. I love going to Disney, playing video and board games with my husband. I love Young Adult books, with a focus on paranormal romance, fantasy, dystopia and contemporary, especially dealing with illnesses, tough issues such as cutting, eating disorders, issues at home, etc.

Feel free to contact me.with any questions or comments. I love to hear from you!

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